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that he owns shares in Harare’s EasiPark parking deal.
Cde Mutasa was reacting to allegations made by councillor Victor Chifodya during a recent full council meeting. He said that he was hearing the information for the first time.
“That is news to me. I do not know anything about it,” said Cde Mutasa. “They should show you my application letter and receipts showing the amount I paid for the said shares.
“As far as I am concerned I know nothing about it.”
Clr Chifodya also alleged that EasiPark secretary allocated shares to militant youth empowerment group, Upfumi Kuvadiki, as a way of silencing its members.
He said Cde Didymus Mutasa was allocated shares as the council sought political support.
“Didymus Mutasa and Upfumi Kuvadiki are now shareholders in EasiPark,” Clr Chifodya said.
He claimed that Cde Mutasa recently collected his shareholders’ certificate. Clr Chifodya said Upfumi Kuvadiki’s silence was bought soon after the youth empowerment group voiced concern over the deal.
Upfumi Kuvadiki disrupted business after holding demonstrations against the city’s joint venture in the EasiPark parking deal with EasiHold of South Africa.
They demanded council to terminate the deal with the company, saying locals should be considered as a way of empowering them. Upfumi Kuvadiki members wanted to be considered for the deal as a way of youth empowerment.
Upfumi Kuvadiki secretary general Mr Privy Gwida last week refuted the claims that they were allocated shares in EasiPark, saying the youth empowerment group was still fighting to gain control of the parking business.
“We never got any shares,” he said. “We still want them out. We formed our own company Mbuya Nehanda.
“We want to enter the deal as Mbuya Nehanda. We are worried that the city empowered a South African company instead of following Government policy that advocates for the empowerment of the youth.”
Mr Gwida said the youth group feels vindicated given the problems haunting EasiPark. The Harare City Council has since indicated that it wants the deal cancelled because it has run into several problems.
The city has not benefited since operations started in 2009, with EasiHold accused of pocketing all the proceeds. The city is supposed to benefit 60 percent of the profits, while EasiHold gets the remainder.
“Instead of listening to us when we told them the deal was not proper, they ignored us and called us names,” said Mr Gwida.
“The city officials should now show their love for Harare residents by giving us the business. We can do better than EasiHold and pay them their dividends.”
Clr Peter Marange told the full council meeting that any delays to take full control of the parking deal would result in other players with interests like Upfumi Kuvadiki taking over.
Clr Peter Moyo said that Upfumi Kuvadiki was indeed right when it first protested over the handling of the deal. Many groups with interest in the deal are expected to come forward and demand shares in the event that the EasiPark joint venture is eventually cancelled.
Online Reporter